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In Search of the Ultimate Goal of Life


Source: Handwritten Documents

by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhakivedanta Swami Prabhupada

In Search of the Ultimate Goal of Life cover
1993 In Search of the Ultimate Goal of Life


Srila Prabhupada had written this manuscript just after his entering the renounced order of life (sannyas) in the year of 1959. The old manuscript of approximately 200 pages was not known until it was discovered in 1977 in Radha Damodar temple in Vrindavana, after the departure of Srila Prabhupada into the spiritual world. The book has been printed under the care and guidance of Bhaktigaurava Narasingha Swami (former Jagat Guru Swami). The book was first printed in 1993.


The subject of this book is about the highly philosophical and confidential discussions between Lord Caitanya and Ramananda Raya. Although Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu requested that Ramananda Raya may not disclose this topic but keep it as a secret, Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraja Goswami in his Caitanya-caritamrta openly reveals the details of the Lord's talks with Ramananda and encourages all the devotees to enter deeply into their inner meaning.


While on tour of South India, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu arrived on the banks of the river Godavari, where He met Sri Ramananda Raya, a great devotee of Sri Krsna. Lord Caitanya expressed a deep desire to hear about Sri Krsna from the lips of Ramananda Raya and requested that Ramananda recite a verse from the revealed scriptures concerning the ultimate goal of life. Ramananda then replied: "If a person performs the prescribed duties of his social position, he awakens his original Krsna consciousness." Supporting his statement, Ramananda then cited a verse from the Visnu Purana (3.8.9):

visnur aradhyate pantha
nanyat tat-dosa-karanam

"The Personality of Godhead Lord Visnu is worshiped by the proper performance of prescribed duties in the system of varna and asrama. There is no other way to satisfy the Personality of Godhead. One must be situated in the institution of the four varnas and asramas."


Varna and Asrama Jeopardized

Mother Nature's Atom Bomb

The Problem Remains the Same

Perverted Castes

Real Varna and Asrama

Varna and Asrama Rejected

Hodge-podge Impersonalism

Educated Means Atheist

Sankara Astonished

Absolute Truth is Personal

No Clear Idea

Accept Sannyasa

Go Higher

Mixed Devotion

Knowledge-free Devotion

Hear From Self-realized Souls

Spontaneous Love of Godhead

Dasya-Prema

Sakhya-Prema

Vatsalya-Prema

Madhurya-Prema

Upstarts

Mellow of Sweetness

Quacks of Spiritual Science

Attachment for Demigods

Mahamaya and Yogamaya

The Name is Absolute

Rasabhasa

Not Possible to Reciprocate

The Topmost Servitor

Most Magnanimous

Not For Ordinary People

Distinguished Cowherd Girl

The Search of Sri Krsna

By Srimati Radharani's Side

Changing the Body

An Eternal Life of Ecstasy

No Entrance for Laksmidevi

Perfect Questions and Answers

Most Learned Fellow

Fame

All Are Not Equal

Follow Srila Rupa Goswami

Real Wealth

Enlightening the Heart

I Have One Doubt

Lord Caitanya Revealed

A Mine of Nectar

Faith